Real Madrid find themselves at a crossroads after a second consecutive season without major silverware, and the questions are mounting at the Santiago Bernabeu. Football España Editor Ruairidh Barlow recently joined CNN World Sport to break down the situation, following what some are calling the club's worst week in the 21st century.

The turmoil began last Thursday when reports emerged of a heated altercation between midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde, resulting in both players being hit with a hefty €500k fine. Just three days later, Real Madrid suffered a crushing 2-0 defeat in El Clasico against rivals Barcelona, who celebrated clinching their third La Liga title in four years right in front of their stunned home crowd.

It's becoming increasingly clear that manager Alvaro Arbeloa will part ways with the club at season's end, with whispers of Jose Mourinho's potential return growing louder. While the next manager will face a long list of challenges, the most pressing issue appears to be the fractured dressing room. Tension, lack of cohesion, and an inability to bounce back from setbacks have defined this campaign, suggesting that overhauling the squad's dynamic must be the top priority.

At the center of this storm is Kylian Mbappe. Brought in as the face of a new era, the French superstar has struggled to live up to the leadership role expected of him. His absence from El Clasico due to injury drew sharp criticism, and it's clear he hasn't yet found his rhythm alongside Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. In 100 appearances for Los Blancos, Mbappe has notched 85 goals and 10 assists, currently leading the Pichichi race. His clinical finishing has carried the team through moments, but it hasn't been enough to secure success. The chemistry just isn't clicking, and neither Mbappe nor his teammates seem to be bringing out the best in each other.